Jimmie Johnson’s iconic No. 48 Chevrolet is getting a new look for the remainder of the 2020 season, his final full-time year before retiring.
Starting Sunday with NASCAR’s first race on Daytona International Speedway’s road course, Johnson will race with a white-based paint scheme with Ally Financial’s purple and fuchsia colors, the opposite of the black-based look he’s traditionally had the last two seasons with this sponsor.
The seven-time Cup Series champ released the car’s new paint scheme Thursday on Twitter, calling it a “rAlly scheme” as he’s still trying to qualify for the 16-driver, 10-race playoffs beginning in September. To qualify for a chance at a record-breaking eighth title, he either needs to win one of the final four regular-season races or be among the top-16 drivers in the standings, where’s he’s currently 18th.
rALLY scheme pic.twitter.com/cPRQb0Ykov
— Jimmie Johnson (@JimmieJohnson) August 13, 2020
The white and purple scheme was inspired by calls from the 44-year-old driver’s longtime fans, according to Johnson and Hendrick Motorsports. With the exception of some special paint schemes, this look will serve as Johnson’s primary paint scheme for the remainder of the season.
It will debut Sunday in the GoBowling 235 at Daytona International Speedway’s road course, and thanks to NASCAR’s new formula for determining its starting lineups, he’ll start the race 11th. The GoBowling 235 is at 3 p.m. ET on NBC.
After Sunday, the Cup Series has a doubleheader at Dover International Speedway before returning to Daytona for the Coke Zero Sugar 400, the regular-season finale.
Here are a few more angles of Johnson’s new paint scheme:
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